The evidence: the empty tomb - Matthew 28:1-10

Why believe: thewitnesses of Jesus’ resurrection - John 17:20

Number of witnesses: I Corinthians 15:3-8

Cephas - Luke 24:34

Twelve (apostles) - Luke 24:36-43

500 at one time (Galilee) - Matthew 28:10

James, the Lord’s brother

Paul (on the road to Damascus) - Acts 22:6-10

Mary Magdalene - Mark 16:9

Other women returning from the tomb - Matthew 28:9-10

Two disciples on the road to Emmaus - Luke 24:13-33

Apostles, Thomas absent - John 20:19-24

Apostles, Thomas present - John 20:26-29

Seven disciples by sea of Galilee - John 21:1-23

Apostles (His ascension) - Acts 1:3-12

Are the witnesses reliable?

Brothers in the flesh - John 7:3-5

Thomas - John 20:24-28

Saul of Tarsus, former great enemy - Acts 9:1-2

Strength of their witness: “infallible proofs” - Acts 1:3

They ate and drank with Jesus - Acts 10:41

They saw, heard, and touched Him - John 20:24-28

The witness of their transformation

Before…

Afraid at His arrest - Mark 14:50

Peter denied Him three times - Mark 14:66-72

The women mourned His crucifixion - Luke 23:27

After His death…

His disciples were sad - Luke 24:13-17

They hid behind closed doors in fear - John 20:19

After His resurrection…

They fearlessly praised God in the temple - Luke 24:52-53

They proclaimed Christ, despite persecution - Acts 5:28-32

The witness of their high moral standards afterwards

They taught others to live holy lives - I Thessalonians 4:1-7

They lived their own lives in unimpeachable ways - I Thessalonians 2:3-12

The witness of the price they paid

The apostles endured much suffering - I Corinthians 4:9-13

All, but one, died a martyr’s death

The significance of the resurrection for unbelievers

Proves that Jesus truly is the Son of God - Romans 1:4

Demonstrates that the Christ truly has all authority - Matthew 28:18

Verifies the truthfulness of Jesus - Matthew 16:21

If the truth, His other teachings are true

He was from God and spoke the words of the Father - John 8:28

No one can come to the Father but through Him - John 14:6

His blood was shed for the remission of sins - Matthew 26:28

He came to offer abundant life - John 10:10

He went to prepare a place for us - John 14:2

He shall come again - John 14:3

There will be a resurrection and judgment - John 5:28-29

What if Christ is not raised?

Gospel preaching is vain - I Corinthians 15:14

Your faith is vain - I Corinthians 15:14

The apostles were false witnesses - I Corinthians 15:15

They swore that God raised Jesus from the dead - Acts 2:32

They claimed to eat and drink with Him - Acts 10:39-41

We are still in our sins - I Corinthians 15:17

All perished at death - I Corinthians 15:18

We are to be most pitied - I Corinthians 15:19

What the resurrection of Jesus does for the Christian

It verifies our justification - Romans 4:24-25

It demonstrates power available to the Christian - Ephesians 1:18-20

The power of our conversion - Colossians 2:11-12

The power available to live the Christian life - Romans 8:11

It gives us living hope in our own resurrection - I Peter 1:3

It demands our complete loyalty to Him - Romans 14:9

He was raised and exalted to be our Lord - Acts 2:32-26

As the risen Savior, our lives and service belong to Him - Romans 14:7-8

Conclusion: Do you believe in the empty tomb? - John 8:24